Listening to God with Pastor Richard

  Read Galatians 1:18-24 Background to Galatians Galatians is a letter written by St Paul to early Christian communities, that consist of  Jewish and Gentile converts.   Some of the Jewish converts were insisting that all people including Gentiles must follow Mosaic Laws, including dietary, festival and circumcision laws.    As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection from this passage This passage highlights at least four important aspects for us as Christians that we don't be Christians alone, but we be Christians with others. that we go where God leads even if our previous reputation is not so good there that we share the Gospel of Jesus and how it has affected us that we praise God for those who have been transformed by the Gospe...

Read Galatians 1:11-17 Background to Galatians Galatians is a letter written by St Paul to early Christian communities, that consist of  Jewish and Gentile converts.   Some of the Jewish converts were insisting that all people including Gentiles must follow Mosaic Laws, including dietary, festival and circumcision laws.    As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection God's Gospel is not a new set of rules to live by but it is God's actions for us, through His son Jesus Christ.   Therefore our posture with God is to believe that His actions are good enough, and to receive from Him what He offers. God's Gospel changes people when they connect with Him and hear Him, even those who are in opposition to His Gospel.  When we have ...

  Read Galatians 1:6-10 Background to Galatians Galatians is a letter written by St Paul to early Christian communities, that consist of  Jewish and Gentile converts.   Some of the Jewish converts were insisting that all people including Gentiles must follow Mosaic Laws, including dietary, festival and circumcision laws.    As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection Christian history is rich with much tradition and practices, many of them good, and because of this some may make the traditions and practices essential for someone to be a Christian, to be loved by God and to be saved...this is another Gospel.... We are called to keep focussing on and remembering the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the only thing that will give us true...

Read Galatians 1:1-5 Background to Galatians Galatians is a letter written by St Paul to  early Christian communities, that consist of  Jewish and Gentile converts.   Some of the Jewish converts were insisting that all people including Gentiles must follow Mosaic Laws, including dietary, festival and circumcision laws.    As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection An important aspect of today's reading is to see Paul (and all others disciples of Jesus) as being ultimately sent by God God's grace and therefore His Gospel, which is the actions of Jesus is the main thing for the Christian community.   It is God alone who rescues us and gives us life, and this will always be the case. In this reading we are encouraged to see t...

   Read Romans 16:17-27 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 1-4 God says through St Paul Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: we be aware of who we are listening to....listen to those who are focused on God, His Gospel and His focus of loving God and loving others God's power through Jesus grace wins a...

  Read Romans 16:9-16 As you read consider -  What stood out for you in this reading? What is God saying about what He has done, is doing or will do? How does the actions of God affect you and live with others? What questions does the reading bring up for you? Pastor Richard's reflection In verses 1-4 God says through St Paul Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the churches of Christ send greetings.  In this reading we are encouraged to see that: we are not alone in our ministry we should encourage each other it is good to publicly acknowledge others both close and far whom you are involved in ministry with Some stuff to contemplate: How does Romans 16:9-16 affect how you see God, yourself, and how you see and will interact with others? What does Romans 16:9-16 call you to talk to God (pray) about?  (Thanksgiving, more insight, help, forgiveness.....